Chrysler Financial – News
October 23, 2007
Contact: Amber Gowen, Chrysler Financial
(248) 427-3126
arp11@chryslerfinancial.com
Jody L. Miller, JLM PR, Inc.
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Miami Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment Draws Hip-Hop Stars, Financial Experts and More
Russell Simmons, Ne-Yo, LeToya Luckett, Freaky Zeaky of the Dipsets, Dennis Da Menace, Joell Ortiz, Belly, Lil X, Michael Chatman, Tracy Mourning, Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Chrysler Financial's Keith Myricks, Monique Tate and Leonard Martin and Anheuser-Busch's Miranda Mack McKenzie Participate in Teaching Young People to "Get Your Money Right"
Miami – On Saturday, October 20, young adults filled Florida Memorial University's A. Chester Robinson Athletic Center for the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network's "Get Your Money Right" International Financial Empowerment Tour. An enthusiastic crowd received important financial literacy information from legendary hip-hop stars and financial experts. With hip-hop idols on the panel, coupled with title sponsor and partner Chrysler Financial experts, young people listened to important, basic financial advice to help them learn how to navigate today's rocky economic environment, including the basics of banking, repairing and understanding credit scores, asset and wealth management, vehicle financing and home ownership.
The Miami tour stop included Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) Chairmen Russell Simmons and HSAN President/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis, R&B stars Ne-Yo and LeToya Luckett, Freaky Zeaky of the Dipsets, actor Dennis Da Menace, Latin hip-hop artist Joell Ortiz, rapper Belly, video director Lil X, entrepreneur Michael Chatman, philanthropist Tracy Mourning, Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Chrysler Financial's Keith Myricks, Monique Tate and Leonard Martin and Anheuser-Busch's Miranda Mack McKenzie. Dr. Benjamin Chavis and television personality Free co-moderated the Summit.
Even the stars themselves learn from the Summits and take away knowledge every time they participate." I used to be a big spender, until I started coming to this panel," stated R&B star LeToya Luckett. "Now I say, I should hold back on buying something and invest instead." Later holding up the "Get Your Money Right" workbook, LeToya told the crowd, "I've fill out this workbook myself, it's easy and it helped me so much. I'm a recovering shopaholic and used to find peace in the mall, but not anymore."
HSAN Chairman Russell Simmons picked up from there, advising the audience that "Peace is in your heart. Find stock in yourself, put your head down and happiness will come from hard work and being a joyful giver. It's a process, but a simple one: one foot in front of the other."
Chrysler Financial's Keith Myricks, Monique Tate and Leonard Martin focused their message on ways to secure strong credit and a financial future. Keith Myricks stated, "You are going to make mistakes, we all did, but you have to have a financial plan, figure it out and keep working on it." Monique Tate told the audience, "Share your "Get Your Money Right" workbook! Make sure the knowledge you learned here today does not end with you, but blossoms in your community."
R&B star Ne-Yo advised, "Just because you can do, doesn't mean you should. Opt not to buy something just because you can. That's how the rich stay rich." Ne-yo added, "Know how to balance your money, know what you have. So at the end of the month you're not there at the store hitting negative."
Freaky Zeaky of the Dipsets gave some simple advice, "Stay focused. If you have a short attention span, do something to remind yourself of your goals." Best way to stay focused? Freaky said, "Use post-its around the house to remember what you need to do, and to remind you of success."
Latin hip-hop artist Joell Ortiz related to the youth in attendance by telling them, "I'm up here learning too. I could easily be in the audience with you. I had bad credit when I was 16. I'm not even a homeowner yet because my credit was shot. I just got a deal with Dr. Dre. I learned how to prioritize. First comes the necessities, then comes the luxuries."
Many questions about where to make one's mark were directed to Russell Simmons by young attendees. "There are so many opportunities in the market," Simmons declared. "Find something different that you are passionate about. Young cultural groups have traditionally broken down doors. We now have hip-hop lawyers, hip-hop mayors – entrepreneurs employing that creative mindset." He added, "Whatever you do, it's about execution, taking one more step. Keep walking toward your goal. Prove that you're resilient and serious."
The 2007 "Get Your Money Right" tour will make one more stop in 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia on November 3 at Morris Brown College. For more information, the downloadable version of the "Get Your Money Right" workbook and to see a streaming Web cast of the Miami Hip-Hop Summit, go to www.hsan.org. For more information about Chrysler Financial visit corp.chryslerfinancial.com.